Original subtitles

"Ambition is not a vice of little people." - Michel de Montaige.

So tonight marks the end of this campaign.

And tomorrow,

in our time-honored tradition of freedom,

America will make its choice.

If elected, I welcome the challenge

of serving as president

and of defending that freedom in its hour of maximum danger.

Though half the globe now lives under tyranny,

the kind of society that we build here

the kind of power we generate,

the kind of enthusiasm we incite

will tell whether darkness or light overtakes us all.

So I ask that you join us tomorrow

in moving America forward,

making America a great beacon of light

for the 1960s and for all time.

Kennedy! Kennedy! Kennedy!

Kennedy! Kennedy!

Kennedy!

Senator Kennedy, at 43,

would be the youngest man ever elected

and the first Roman catholic.

A naval officer in world war ii,

he was severely wounded and received

the Navy and marine corps medal for heroism.

The Kennedy campaign has been largely a family affair.

The candidate's brother Robert

has served as campaign manager,

and with financing provided by senator Kennedy's father,

Joseph p. Kennedy, one of America's richest men.

Though the elder Kennedy is estimated to have spent

as much as $10 million,

the race between senator Kennedy

and vice president Nixon is a virtual dead heat.

Damn it.

If I don't do it myself, it never gets done.

The buses in bridgeport never showed up.

There are old people who can't make it to the polls,

and we need every vote.

Lyndon tells me his people need another 300 grand.

Wire it to him, but not to his headquarters.

Go through Al Wirtz.

Then I want to talk to mayor daley

and pat brown in California.

Dad, I think the, uh, weather's looking good

on the entire east coast. The buses in bridgeport never showed up.

No, no, I had that all arranged.

I had to take care of it myself.

I got cabs and limos from funeral homes,

so if Jack loses out there, it's on your head.

I know, dad. I know.

Anyway, mayor Wagner called.

Said the, uh, turnout in Harlem is running, uh...

18% higher than projected.

You got anything useful to tell me about

besides the weather?

Would you like some grapefruit?

No, he doesn't want grapefruit.

He needs to check on the buses in Trenton.

Bobby.

Just go out there and help us win.

It's what we do around here.

It kicked again.

It's been doing it all morning.

Daddy, wanna come feel the baby?

Well, of course.

Hi.

Let's see what's going on in there.

Do you feel it? I do.

Today's a big day.

Your daddy's going to become president.

Now go get dressed.

Bye, honey.

How are you feeling?

Oh, like hell.

They don't have a nursery in the White House.

Oh, they do.

It's called the cabinet room.

Let's not, uh, worry about the floor plan

until, uh...

Until they count the votes.

You know you're going to win.

No, I really don't.

Then why were you singing "hail to the chief"

in the shower?

Was I, uh, was I doing that?

It's a very catchy tune.

Tom? Tom?

Now I want you to get on the phone,

make sure those buses are rolling in Trenton

the minute the polls open, okay?

Jack? We're behind schedule.

Sorry to rush you, but, uh,

you have radio interviews at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00.

Then, uh, then this afternoon, I have you, uh, set up

with the a.P., u.P.I., and, uh, possibly cronkite.

I was hoping to go to the golf course.

Jackie, I need you to do a-an on-air segment

with WBX Boston.

Can you do that for me? No, you cancel that, Bobby. She... she's worked hard.

She's done enough interviews. I want her to rest. Well, Jack, I appreciate that,

but, uh, you would his campaign tremendously

if... if you could rest tomorrow. With all due respect,

I don't believe one interview is gonna make a lot of difference. It's all right, Jack.

I'll do it. No, when we get back, uh, from voting,

I want you to relax with Caroline, really.

All right? Where's dad?

Well, he's probably fixing my mistakes.

A record number of Americans,

upwards of 67 million, go to the polls to elect

the 35th president of the United States.

Citizens from Maine to Hawaii record their choices

as the attention of the entire globe

focuses on the contest for the leadership

of the most powerful nation of the free world.

The Democratic nominee is an early favorite,

and first returns bear out predictions

in Mr. Kennedy's favor.

The gop standard-bearer, Richard Nixon is...

Is that it?

Senator.

Here are the latest numbers from north Carolina

and west Virginia.

How's the turnout been so far? Heavier than expected.

Really? Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

Eager crowds gather...

We'll, uh, take that. Yeah.

...Public library.

Harry, you were one of the great presidents,

and Jack's gonna rely on you, but we gotta win first.

Now those baptists in your state

are worried about this catholic thing.

Now you gotta let 'em know

that he won't let his strings be pulled by the pope.

Yeah, I know you will, Harry. You're a true patriot.

Yes, regards to Bess.

Thank you.

That son of a bitch.

You know he wouldn't let 'em drink scotch in the White House

'cause I own the import rights?

Joe, dear, are you ready? For what?

Will you come to mass with me?

Oh, Rosie, I've got a stack of calls this high,

each one more important than the last.

What could be more important than praying for Jack?

Getting the Polack vote out in Detroit.

I'll go with you tomorrow, sweetheart,

after Jack's elected.

See that he eats a good lunch,

will you, Michelle, dear?

Yes, Mrs. Kennedy.

Finest wife a fellow could have.

But I don't understand her faith.

I admire it, but I don't understand it.

You don't believe that God had a hand in all this?

Oh, absolutely.

Here is God's hand,

my hand.

Gotcha!

Ooh! Hey. Just short of the first down.

How are you? Good. You?

Good. Jackie all right?

I think she's fine, really.

I ran into the crew of WBX.

They said she wasn't feeling well,

couldn't do the interview. No, Jack just wanted her to rest.

She's... she's fine.

Well, I can, uh, pinch-hit for her

if, uh, you think it would help.

I can tell 'em what it's like to be part of the Kennedy team.

You wouldn't mind doing that?

I think you'd be great.

I'm gonna tell 'em.

I'll go get changed.

There's daddy and me at our wedding.

Who's that?

Grandma and grandpa.

Daddy and me.

Who's that?

Your uncle Joe.

I don't have an uncle Joe.

He was daddy's older brother.

Wasn't he handsome?

Ambassador Kennedy

is very anxious to talk to the governor.

Well, can you ring through to the residence?

All right. Yes.

Please have him call ambassador Kennedy

as soon as he arrives.

Yes. Thank you.

Left word for governor brown.

Why are they writing about me?

"Wall street manipulator,

appeaser of Hitler"... none of it's true.

You shouldn't read these things. They just upset you.

It could cost Jack the election.

It won't. He'll be fine. Let me make you some tea.

No. No, no, no, no, no. I d... I don't want any tea.

Just stay with me.

Are you feeling all right?

Yes, yes. Uh...

I-I... I've been thinking a lot

of Joe Jr...

Today.

I miss him.

Roosevelt named the ambassador to england.

How do you like that? Proud of you, pop.

Me, too.

Well, you know, this job is a springboard for me.

War might break out in Europe,

and I'll be in a perfect position

to make sure we stay out of it.

In two years time,

they'll be handing me the nomination on a plate.

Uh, what do you mean?

Dad's gonna be president, Jack.

Roosevelt will have finished his two terms.

If I keep us out of the war, I'll be a shoo-in.

But, uh, you're a catholic.

I'm an American.

When my parents came over in steerage,

they worked themselves sick

so there'd be clothes and food

and something for the plate on Sunday.

In the old country, they were Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy.

In Boston, they were a couple of micks.

Well, this Mick is going to the White House,

and nobody will ever say we don't belong.

Now if you boys don't remember anything else I say,

remember this...

it's not what you are, it's what people think you are.

And with the right amount of money,

you can make 'em think whatever you want.

We're on our way, boys.

This country is ours for the taking.

Despite a series of broken promises,

by Adolf Hitler,

prime minister Chamberlain of Great Britain

has staked his political future on a negotiated settlement

with the German chancellor. Hopes seem to be fading,

however, that war can be avoided.

Uh, and this is for the president only.

"Dear boss, perhaps a note from you

"could buck up Chamberlain,

"assure him that America is committed

to avoiding conflict in Europe at all costs."

And any concessions to Hitler must be viewed in that light.

That's very good. You... you can add that.

What makes you so sure Hitler's gonna keep his word this time?

That's not our concern. You read what Lindbergh's been saying?

We couldn't beat the Germans anyway.

"I am confident, Mr. president,

"that you share this view.

"Keeping us out of the war

"will, in this young man's opinion,

will be the enduring legacy of your administration."

Mwah.

"With love, as always,"

etcetera, etcetera.

And, uh, put it in the noon pouch.

All right, pop. I'm off to the club.

Lunching with the foreign secretary.

And I'm...

Lunching with the, uh,

secretary's...

Secretary.

Oh, we're due at the palace at 8:00.

That Jack is quite delightful.

Yes, but it's...

It's Joe who's going places.

Hitler's demands

on the sudetenland of czechoslovakia

amount to nothing more

than a reunification of the greater German reich.

The desire of German-speaking peoples

to be part of the same nation

seems to me to be no more unreasonable

than the desire

of English-speaking people

to be united on this blessed island.

Has he, uh, cleared this with Washington?

Why should he? It's the truth.

It's not the truth, no. That's his opinion.

We refer to the expansion of our boundaries

as manifest destiny.

Herr Hitler has renounced further territorial claims

on the continent of Europe.

And we would be ungenerous

not to take him at his word.

Why would we take him at his word?

He's been lying since the moment he took power.

It's not our problem. That's all dad's saying.

Dad is going against everything

that Roosevelt's been saying.

Going against Roosevelt's gonna make dad president. ...But for the vast majority of American people

when I say that we... You worry too much, kid.

Li you... Dad's the most popular American in Europe.

Roosevelt can't touch him. Wish to never again witness the carnage...

He wouldn't dare. And misery of the great war.

Britain and France have declared war on Germany.

In London, ambassador Kennedy still maintains his opinion

that America should stay out of it,

a position that has caused friction between the ambassador

and the Roosevelt administration.

Joe, dear, we're going to be late for this reception

unless we g...

Joe?

What is it?

That was the White House.

The White House?

I'm out, Rosie.

I-I don't believe it.

The president fired you?

No, no, he didn't have the guts.

It was his Jew boys... Rosenman and Morgenthau...

they wanted me out.

I embarrassed him, they said. They called me an appeaser.

They made it sound like I like Hitler.

Said I was anti-American.

Me!

And Roosevelt...

Roosevelt listened to them!

So what are you going to do?

Oh, I am going to throw

everything I can at that son of a bitch.

I'm gonna spend whatever it takes

to make sure he doesn't get reelected. No, Joe.

When I want your advice... you...

Are going to endorse him for a third term.

He gave you, a catholic,

the most important diplomatic post

this country has to give.

People will think you're ungrateful

if you come out against him.

You'll never be able to hold your head up again.

I don't care what people think!

Well, you should, Joe...

Because there's more to this family

than just you.

You were right.

About what?

It is over for me.

But this family...

Is not going to disappear.

I'll make sure of that.

America has been attacked without warning.

That's the dramatic, the almost fantastic news that

presidential secretary early tells the press.

And throughout the nation, the news is flashed... it's war!

American lives lost, American property destroyed...

with growing resentment,

Americans learn of the treacherous assault.

We didn't start this war, but we can finish it.

All right. You take care of yourself, Bobby. See you, Joe.

Teddy, you stay out of trouble, huh?

Girls.

Bye.

Take care. Careful, Joe.

I'll see you soon, okay?

Be good to mom.

Oh, I hate the idea of you flying over Europe.

Well, we're in this thing now.

We've got to win.

I know, but if I could write Hitler a check

and get him to call the whole thing off, I'd do it.

I'll be fine, dad.

I'll bring you back some medals,

and you can wave 'em around when I run for congress.

That's just the beginning.

You'll succeed where I failed.

You're gonna go all the way.

I know.

You know?

Yeah.

I knew it

the second you got that call from Roosevelt.

I love you, son.

You, too, pop.

Save my clippings, huh?

And start planning my campaign.

You read Walter Winchell's column this morning?

No. I, uh, I missed it.

Well, I know you don't have your brother's common sense,

but damn it, Jack.

"One of ex-ambassador Kennedy's sons

"is the target

"of a Washington gal columnist's affections...

"so much so, she is divorcing her explorer groom.

Pa Kennedy no like."

Now the FBI were bugging her phone.

The FBI?

Must have been a slow week.

"Inga Arvad, Danish national."

J. Edgar hoover thinks she's a Nazi spy.

Is it true?

She is Danish.

Oh, for God sake. Look, she's not a spy.

She's under investigation.

Now you can do what you like after the war.

But what you don't do now is embarrass me

and hurt your brother's chances

by carrying on with this girl.

I got you a desk job in Washington

to keep you out of trouble.

I didn't want a desk job.

I wanted to get out there. I wanted to fight like Joe.

One son at risk is enough.

I'll make you a deal.

I'll lose the girl. You get me into combat.

I had to phony up your medical records

to get you in the Navy in the first place.

You did it once. You can do it again.

Look, dad... I want this.

Okay? I need to get out there,

and I need to do something that matters,

or I'm gonna regret it for the rest of my life.

Write to me, okay?

You bet, jeanie.

Me, too.

Well, take care.

Be careful.

So remember, when the bullets start flying, duck.

And don't bring me home any half-jap grandchildren.

Well, I-I hear they, uh,

keep PT boat commanders pretty busy, so...

Thanks for letting me do this, pop.

Take care of yourself, Jack.

One club.

One no trump.

Uh, three no trumps.

Hello.

May I speak to the ambassador, please?

This is the ambassador. This is

commander Michael Donovan of the war department.

Mr. ambassador, I have some news regarding your son.

Which one?

Your son, lieutenant John f. Kennedy.

His p.T. Boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer.

Now we found the wreckage, but your son

and the rest of his crew are unaccounted for at this time.

Now we have reconnaissance in the area,

and I'll be in touch with you as soon as we have word.

Uh, speak only to me, you understand?

Not to my wife.

Very well, sir.

Is everything all right, Joe?

Everything's fine.

Thank you.

Jack's been missing for five days.

How's rose handling it?

I haven't told her.

You haven't told her?

She's the boy's mother, Joe.

Well, I don't want her to go through

what I've been going through, not knowing if...

He's safe, if he's alive.

And it's my fault.

How is it your fault?

He shouldn't be in the Navy at all.

I fixed it so he could get in.

It's my fault.

Why are you here, Joe?

I want you to pray for him.

Of course. I will.

Thank you.

But God will listen to your prayers, too.

No, he won't listen to me.

I've sinned too much in the past.

Joe.

You should see a doctor.

You're not sleeping. You're not eating.

I'm fine.

Yes.

Mr. ambassador, I have good news.

Your son's been found. He's alive.

He's been taken to the hospital,

but his injuries don't appear to be life-threatening.

Joe?

Sir?

Yes, uh...

Thank you.

Very good, sir.

♪ for he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ which nobody can deny ♪

♪ which nobody can deny ♪

♪ for he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ which nobody can deny ♪

To our war hero...

And a job well-done.

Yeah, we're all proud of you, kid.

Thanks, Joe.

Sure.

So that, uh,

jap destroyer just cut you clean in two, huh?

Oh, yeah. Like we were butter.

Couldn't take evasive measures?

It was pitch-black.

I never saw her.

I'm getting calls from people all over the world

saying what a great job you did.

Really lifted their spirits. Where was your radar?

It was on, but, uh,

sometimes the signal doesn't come through. Interference?

Yeah. In the middle of the ocean?

What are you getting at, son? Nothing, pop.

Just trying to figure out how it happened, that's all. He told you what happened.

300-foot destroyer, he never saw her coming?

I didn't know they were handing out medals

for being asleep at the helm. I wasn't asleep.

That's enough. Maybe next time you screw up,

they'll give you the medal of honor, huh? Good. Then I'll have two more than you.

That was disgusting.

His medal's a joke.

He risked his life. You owe him some respect.

His getting decorated only helps this family.

It doesn't help me!

I've flown 25 missions.

People are gonna think

I spent the war having tea in Cliveden.

How am I supposed to run for office when...

let me worry about that.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

It's fine.

You'll be president no matter what JK does.

Now go and apologize to him.

Mom says, uh, that you're in a lot of pain.

They got you on pills?

Yeah. I'm okay.

Okay.

Look, uh, Jack,

I'm sorry.

Okay? You deserve that medal as much as anyone.

Thanks.

Sure.

I'm going back to england.

What for?

Well, I want to keep flying, that's why.

Joe...

Is a piece of metal hanging from a ribbon

really that important to you?

Oh, yeah, sure. You can say that.

You got one.

Joe...

Don't fly anymore.

Hey, I'll be all right.

It's bad enough you out-medaled me.

You think I'm gonna let you outlive me, too?

Those union reps in Nevada

are supposed to be getting out the vote. I-I agree.

I think they should be making more of an effort,

but I-I haven't seen any indication of that

up to the present time. Boy, look at you.

They're, uh, they're ready whenever you are.

Great.

What's she doing?

She's gonna do the interview for WBX.

We'll send the feed up and down the east coast.

Since when does she get interviewed?

Well, Jackie was supposed to do it, but, uh,

Jack said she was tired, so she's gonna rest.

Oh, she's tired? I'm tired. We're all tired.

Oh, no, it's fine, dad. Look at her.

She's happy to do it. Yeah, I'll bet she is.

Tell Jack to get Jackie out of bed,

have her put her face on,

and dazzle those sons of bitches.

Mrs. Kennedy, could we... Over here, please.

Just over here, please.

Mrs. Kennedy, sometimes in politics,

the image of a candidate

is quite different from the reality.

Well...

That's the wonderful thing about my husband.

He's not interested in image.

He's exactly who he appears to be...

a man who... Cares about his family

and who's devoted to this country.

I think the American people see that.

They know my husband...

I'm sorry, sweetheart.

Ah. I got my makeup done for free.

Mrs. Kennedy, just over here.

Senator Kennedy has tried during the campaign

to stress the need

to get the country moving again.

What do you think that means to the women voters?

And I think women respond to that,

because as mothers,

we want the future to look bright for our children.

How's Ethel?

Oh, she's doing fine, really.

I appreciate how supportive she's been on the campaign.

She's been great.

So wh-why are you telling me? Tell her.

You know how dad is when he wants something.

Yeah. Well, that's just it.

I'm wondering, is he gonna keep getting his way? Yes, probably.

Really? So how's that gonna be

if you get into the White House, hmm?

What are you gonna say, uh, "my fellow Americans,

"my dad wanted me to invade Russia,

therefore, that's what we shall do"? The last thing that you wanted to do

was manage this campaign, and here you are.

How's that any different? Well, it is different. It is tremendously different.

Because after today, I'm done,

and he becomes your responsibility, your burden.

And... and I hope that, uh, the two of you have

a-a-a successful presidency together.

I'm sorry it happened, okay?

It's fine.

You... you should go get ready.

The car's gonna be here shortly

to pick you and Jackie up to vote.

I'm about to vote for myself

for president of the United States.

Who ever thought it'd work out like this?

It was supposed to be Joe's day.

But it's not, Jack. It's yours.

You earned it.

Mrs. Kennedy, I'm father O'byrne.

Can I help you, father?

May we speak with the ambassador?

H-he's taking a nap.

I think you should wake him.

I-is there something I can help you with?

It's urgent that we speak with him.

We have news...

About your son Joe.

Joe.

Joe.

Joe, we... We have to pray.

We have to pray for his soul.

To who?

A God who let him die?

Oh, don't say that.

We have to have faith.

No, I-I-I don't want to hear it, rose.

Everything is part of God's plan.

It's part of God's plan to let Joe die...

A boy... Oh.

A young boy with his life in front of him?!

Well, it's not part of my plan!

We... have to have faith.

What?

In this? No, Joe, no.

You can pray to this thing if you want, Rosie, but not me.

Never again! Never again!

Please, Joe. Please.

Dad. What's going on?

Mom?

What is it? What... what happened?

Your brother...

Joe is dead.

We have to pray for him.

It's up to you now, Jack.

You know that, don't you?

To do what?

Carry on for your brother.

After the war, you'll r for congress

and take up the seat that he would've had.

I can't. I can't.

Yes, you can.

I can't do it.

I'm... I'm not Joe.

You'll do it, Jack...

For him...

For all of us.